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Gaelic Storm

GAELIC STORM Saturday, October 23, 2010 7:30pm Show, 6:30pm Doors. All Ages Show/GA Gothic Theatre, 3263 South Broadway, Englewood CO Tickets: $21.25 Advance $26.25 DOS Tickets and information at: Gothic Theatre or call Celtic Events at 303-777-0502. (Note: It will be a homecoming of sorts for fiddler Jessie Burns when Gaelic Storm returns to Colorado this November 1st. The Suffolk, England native and newest member of Gaelic Storm, has made Colorado her home for the past 10 years) Read more… GAELIC STORM is likely the most-seen Irish-influenced band in the world, given their performance as the steerage band in the film ‘Titanic.’ Having never gone down with the ship, the band sails the globe the majority of the year, performing at festivals and packed concert halls where they can connect and hang-out with their fans. As many tens of thousands of enthusiastic record buyers and festival-goers know, the quintet plays high-energy, foot-stomping, rock-tinged Celtic/World music. Not only does their instrumentation include fiddle, accordion and pipes, but also the bouzouki, mandolin and an array of drums including the Malian djembe, the Middle Eastern doumbek, the Brazilian surdo, and the Cuban caj”n, as well as the Irish bodhr”n. GAELIC STORM newest release ‘Cabbage’, is “a party on a platter” and marks the band’s highest charting album on the Billboard 200, and their second #1 on the Billboard World Music Chart! Their sophisticated storytelling was highlighted by Blurt whom enthused ‘Cabbage’ had “some of the wittiest writing the band has ever put to tape, like the opening track “Raised on Black and Tans” and the goofy, though still cleaver “Space Race.” Their cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Cecilia” is surprisingly original considering how many bands have had their way with that song.” GAELIC STROM will perform on the Sailing Southern Ground Cruise with Zac Brown Band this fall. They have previously toured alongside artists including Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett, and The Barenaked Ladies. Hear for yourself in Colorado October 23, and listen to Gaelic Storm’s USA Today playlist pick “Raised on Black & Tans” at http://www.myspace.com/gaelicstorm Gaelic Storm is: Patrick Murphy (Cork City, Ireland) Vocals, Accordion, Harmonica; Steve Twigger (Coventry, England), Vocals, Guitar, Bouzouki; Ryan Lacey on drums and world percussion; Jessie Burns on fiddle (Suffolk, England ” now living in Colorado) and Pete Purvis ( Merrickville, Ontari) Uillean pipes, tin whistle, daeger pipes and highland pipes (a Grade 1 piper who toured with award winning pipe band)s.

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Edgewater Hosts 1st Celtic Harvest Festival

by Rodger Hara By now the summer festival season is almost over from the first ones in Utah to the Long”s Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival, for many years the usual season-ending traditional festival in Colorado. The City of Edgewater and the Edgewater Arts Project are changing that by sponsoring the first annual Celtic Harvest Festival Edgewater that will be the last traditional festival of the season on September 18th and 19th. Celebrating the autumn season and Colorado”s Celtic community, the Festival will be held in Citizen”s Park at 22nd and Benton and admission and parking will be free. Featuring a farmer”s market, pipers, Highland and Irish dancing, a grand list of local bands, food, the Renaissance Scots, Flyball Dog Races and fermented spirits, the Festival will provide a fun time for the whole family Fresh vegetables harvested from local farms will be offered at the farmer”s market along with freshly-baked soda bread from the Irish Bread Company and other delectable food offerings. Artwork by local artists like the wood turnings and portraits of Colin Cunningham, glass art from Michael and Susan Penfold”s Woodland Glass Arts Studio and craftwork from the shops of Colorado craftspersons such as Greeley”s Whistle and Drum will also be available. In addition, Celtic merchandise will be available from local merchants including The Celtic Broker, The Emporium, Gilded Dragon Gifts and BTS Chocolate Honey. Pipers and Highland dancers from the award-winning Colorado Youth Pipe Band will be featured throughout the day on the dance stage along with dancers from the Heritage Irish Youth Dancers. Colcannon and The Indulgers headline the local bands that will be appearing on the Main Stage both days. Other bands include Stone Walls, Orion”s Bow, Skean Dubh, C”ol C”ili, Gobs O”Phun, Indigent Row and Empty Pockets. The Renaissance Scots Living History Association (better known as the RenScots) are a group of re-enactors whose goal is to recreate the look, feel, sound (and according to their website, occasionally the odor) of the Scottish Highlands in the time before the Battle of Culloden in 1740. Their “Living History” presentation of swordfighting, weaving and black-smithing by members in full costume adds a unique experience for Festival attendees. And the Flyball Dog Races have to be seen to be believed (and enjoyed!). Dogs of all sizes “fly” down parallel courses, jump over hurdles (the height of which is determined by the shortest of the 4 dogs on each team), trigger the release of a tennis ball from a box then race back down the course over the hurdles to their trainers. (The box is reloaded with a new tennis ball for each dog.) The start/finish line has an infrared light that is triggered by each dog passing through it and the winner of a race is the team that finishes first without error (or the fewer errors). Flyball Dog Racing is an international sport (who knew?) with tournaments across North America all year. The races are great, noisy family fun. Volunteer opportunities to help make the Festival a success remain available. Information about the Festival, the bands and other groups appearing and a volunteer registration form can be found at www.celticharvestfestivaledgewater.com

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Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival Sept 9-12

The hills will be alive with the sound of pipers September 9-12 with the Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival at the Fairgrounds and other venues in Estes Park, CO Some of the bands on stage will include Mythica, Alex Beaton, The Brigadoons, Rathkeltair, Albannach, Prickly Pair and the Cactus Chorale, Lough Carron, Eddie Devine, The Tartan Terrors Highland Dance and Pipe Band Competitions, Irish Dance, Scottish Athletics, Tattoo, Country Dance, workshops, seminars and story-telling, clan tents, lots of merchandise, dogs of the British Isles, military heritage, Guinness and full contact jousting. Ticket prices vary by day and by event. Check the website www.scotfest.com

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Mairead Nesbitt — Fiddle Fusion

Cindy Reich interviews Celtic Woman”s aesthetic barefoot fiddler (published in September 2010 Celtic Connection) Ethereal women in gossamer dresses float around the stage, singing beautiful songs. That is the quintessential definition of the Celtic Woman experience. That is, until a blond firecracker explodes onto the stage, fiddle in motion, scattering all in her wake. Mairead Nesbitt is the match that ignites the Celtic Woman flame. She provides an astonishing visual picture, racing around the stage, stopping to jam with the back line of musicians, or dancing like a dervish while fiddling so furiously it”s a wonder the fiddle doesn”t burst into flames. While one may be mesmerized with her combination of dancing and fiddling, it would be entirely understandable if her fiddle chops were simplistic”however, her fiddle playing is superb, and no wonder. Mairead grew up in a very musical family”her sister, four brothers and both parents are musicians. Although classically trained, Mairead also embraces traditional music just as fiercely. Mairead is currently on tour with Celtic Woman in the USA and will be performing with them at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison on September 12. Mairead “spoke” with me via email from the road: I asked her which she prefers more”playing classical music or playing trad. She first came onto my radar as a traditional musician when she was playing with Donal Lunny”s show “Sult”Spirit Of the Music” in 1996 or so.. ”I love playing both styles”, Mairead replied, “I started the violin and fiddle at 6 years of age, and split the two disciplines in my head.” (She even uses a different bow-hold for each style to keep them separate in her mind) “This was very important as I was determined to be as good as possible in both genres before using some elements of both in my style.” Dancing and playing the fiddle simultaneously is a common style of playing in Cape Breton. For many, the fiddler Natalie Mac Master may come to mind when one thinks of that method of playing.. I asked Mairead if she had to work at this style, which is not typical for Irish fiddle players, or did it come naturally? ”I never thought or think consciously about my movements when I play. I think and feel the music first and foremost. It is a natural thing for me to move, as I feel my most free when I play. I never do formal steps like what is the tradition for the fiddle players in Cape Breton. I just move when I want and change whatever I want to change.” I was curious as to how Nesbitt kept it fresh and fun every night while on tour. Her energy is infectious and she truly projects joy in what she does each performance. So how does she keep it fresh? ”I am very passionate about my playing and music in general,” responded Nesbitt. “I absolutely love what I do and it never gets tired for me. The audience every night is different, therefore the energy and performance is different every night. This keeps it fresh and spontaneous!” While Mairead has many and varied influences in her musical history, from Andy McGann to Itzhak Perlman, I asked her if there are any young up and comers who have caught her eye? ”There are a lot of influences that have inspired me and lots of musicians, singer/songwriters and bands that have been very stimulating, for me as a musician. Of the established and famous players today, I”m a huge fan of David Garrett”I think he is a stunning player. Chris Thile is another amazing player and I find his talent astounding. There are also lots of really young players in Ireland making their mark as artists on a world stage. Karl Nesbitt, my brother has inspired me so much and composed the title track of my album, “Raining Up”. He is one of the most talented multi-instrumentalists in Ireland today. Tell us a little bit about “Raining Up”. ”Raining Up” is my solo album”, Mairead replied. “I had a great time preparing and recording it and really need to do another album! This will definitely happen soon! “Raining Up” is the title track, composed by Karl, as I said”. “The title was inspired by seeing the evaporation of the water from the Atlantic Ocean from the Cliffs of Moher in Clare, Ireland. This is like seeing droplets of water going up to the sky, hence the title, “Raining Up”. ”It was produced by Manus Lunny. I am very lucky to have some of the best musicians in Ireland and Scotland playing on it, counting also my mother, Kathleen, my sister Frances, and two of my brothers, Sean and Karl. Karl and I wrote some of the music as did Colm O”Foghlu, a young composer from Ireland. I just wanted to touch off my favorite styles of playing and was really happy that it was recognized by the Billboard World Music Charts!” Colorado”s altitude and climate provide many daunting challenges to both performers and their instruments. I asked Mairead if running around the stage at a mile high causes any difficulties for her? Also, how does her violin handle the dryness of our climate? ”Well, it is tough going!” admitted Mairead. “But Red Rocks is such a beautiful place and it”s really humbling to look out at such an awesome place while playing on stage. It is my favorite place to play and we will be ending our tour there”. ”The dry climate for the fiddle is really damaging and that”s combated with dampits which are snake-like sponges that go into the F-holes of the violin. This helps the wood of the violin not to dry out and prevents cracks that would be very damaging to the violin and to the sound”. “Instruments in general have to deal with different challenges now compared to what they would have had to deal with 300 years ago when my violin was made. Air conditioning is the main culprit and changed climatic conditions. I have to make sure damage is minimal or none at all.” What are you listening to right now on your iPod? ”I”m listening to Miles Kennedy, Alter Bridge, Blackbird; Gabriel Kahane, Delusion Road, David Garrett, Rock Symphonies, Karl Nesbitt, Vista Point”. Who picks the tunes that you play? Does David (Downes, musical director of Celtic Woman) pick them or do you have input? ”David Downes is our music director and composer of Celtic Woman. He picks the music and knows each one of us really well. We have a certain amount of input but the responsibility of actually picking the music rests with David. It is really great that David and Celtic Woman have been nominated for an Emmy for “Best Musical Direction”!” Finally, I asked Mairead if she ever steps down the road and sits in on a good session when she is home? ”Yes, I do!” “There is a session that my brothers play in if I”m home and its fantastic to meet up with them and play with them!”. The extended “Songs from the Hear”t tour will end in Denver, Sunday September 12 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, featuring vocalists Chlo” Agnew, Lynn Hilary, Lisa Kelly, fiddler M”ir”ad Nesbitt and orchestra. Buy tickets at www.LIVENATION.com www.celticwoman.com

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GHOST DANCE ” Now that”s the Spirit!

Music, Dance, and Song to enliven UPTOP Ghost town (photo: Dance Hall and Tavern) Spanish Peaks International Celtic Festival fonder Barbara Yule is excited about the opening day picnic/ceili at the La Veta Pass “Ghost Town” of UPTOP*. Enthusiastically she encourages folks to experience the September 24th event, “Join in the music making and dancing, meet old friends and make new ones. In short a perfect time to get into the weekend spirit!” SPIRIT is the operative word. You will find spirit at UPTOP. Whether the spirit is the happy mood of the gathering, spirits of past inhabitants still embodying the ghost town, or the vital principle or the inspiring animating force within living beings put forth by UPTOP owners Deb Lathrop and Sam Law. The love and passion for their project to restore UPTOP is evident when you tour the property with them and can appreciate all of the hard work put into clean-up and refurbishing, and the sense of joy and satisfaction they have in doing so. Residents of La Veta, the sisters purchased the property ten years ago and with help from friends and volunteers they have restored the chapel, and dance hall/tavern, and the original 1877 railroad station depot that now serves as a museum (and a backdrop for a fictional story the sisters are writing about a station manager and his 12 year old orphaned niece 1877-1881). At present they are working on the school house. They also rehabilitated one of the houses for themselves to live in. “We live here as much as we can,” enthused Deb, “Even in the winter!” They have made some improvements on personal note as well. They designed a meditation area with a “Peace Pole” honoring the storytelling traditions of UPTOP. The “Peace Pole” asks that “Peace Prevail on Earth” in Navajo, English, Spanish, and Gaelic (the sisters claim Irish, Scottish, and French heritage). There is also a “Wind-Wishes Tepee” dedicated to the memory of loved ones. Sam and Deb have done a magnificent job of bringing back life to a historical piece of Colorado, but when addressed on the topic they humbly put into context, “We”re just the latest chapter in the story of UPTOP.” If the mountains of La Veta pass could talk they would give glorious accounts of chapters of time before history was put to paper. For centuries It has been a point of passage from one valley to another by man and beast. In the valley to the east the twin peaks now called Spanish Peaks were thought to be a where mankind came to earth by early ancient Indians. Even the ancient Aztecs believed the area to hold a hidden treasure. Later day tribes including the Ute, Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Shoshone, Navajo and Kiowa Comanche came to La Veta Pass to also hunt and gather medicinal herbs. In time immigrants from Europe came to the area as Explorers, trappers, miners and settlers. Soldiers used the pass to travel to Fort Garland (1858″1883) Kit Carson (grandson of an Ulsterman), American frontiersman who was the renowned guide of John C. Fr”mont’s western expeditions in the 1840s, an agent for the Ute (1853-1861), and a Union general in the Civil War, has crossed La Veta Pass. Mountain man and scout Thomas Tate Tobin (son of an Irish immigrant father and American Indian mother) who became famous for tracking and killing “The Bloody Espanosa Brothers” also frequented the pass. In 1877, General William Jackson Palmer and partner Dr. William Bell built the highest narrow-gauge railroad in the world over La Veta Pass (as mentioned earlier the original depot still stands at UPTOP at 9,382 feet). Their company was the Denver Rio Grande Western Railroad Line (D&RGW), known as “The Rio Grande.” The original intention of General Palmer and Dr. Bell was to build a narrow gauge railroad system to connect Denver with Mexico City. The route was to pass over Raton Pass in what is now northern New Mexico. Feverish competitive competition construction provoked the 1877-1880 war over right of way with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. After a real gun slinging encounter between toughs from both sides, the Santa Fe won the right to Raton Pass. Subsequently, Palmer, Bell, and the D&RGW focused on exploiting the lucrative mining service opportunities to the west and ended up utilizing what is now La Veta Pass for its connecting links. Lumber, potatoes, and tourist also became important cargo crossing La Veta Pass. The train ride attracted thrill seekers and adventurers, like writer and native Indian rights activist Helen Hunt Jackson, who wrote a document about her experience describing it as “The Railroad above the sky”. In 1880 Chief Ouray of the Utes and his wife Chipeta and their party took the train over the Pass on their way to Washington DC (President Hayes called Ouray “the most intellectual man I’ve ever conversed with.”). In the late 1890″s the narrow-gauge trains became functionally obsolete to the wider standard”gauge trains that had more carrying capacity. Palmer was unsuccessful in his attempts to build a wider track. So he tore up the rails and built a new route through the town of La Veta that still is used today. Over 600 people took the farewell last train ride 1899. About the time that the narrow-gauge train chapter ended at UPTOP a thriving lumber business took off. Timbers were needed in the local coal mines for building “pit props” for underground tunnels. The abandoned railroad beds were utilized to move the timber with horse drawn carts. After Juan Antonio Trujillo built a saw mill at UPTOP the logging community grew to over 100 people. They built a chapel, school house, dance hall and tavern, and of course private homes. In the mid 1940″s the many of the local coal mines were closed down and the need for lumber ended. Just in time for the automobile era, The State of Colorado paved the road (old train track bed) through UPTOP and called it Highway 160. Adventuresome tourists crossing the pass kept the dance hall/tavern and a restaurant in business until 1962 when a new straighter and wider section of Hwy 160 was built by-passing UP TOP altogether. Now everyone drives the new La Veta Pass. Until Now! Bring your instruments, dancing shows, sing voices, picnic basket and camera and meet UPTOP September 24 to help write a new chapter. And if you”re afraid of ghosts don”t worry, Sam and Deb said all of the spirits UPTOP are friendly! UPTOP Come enjoy the” TRAIN MUSEUM in the original 1877 Depot; CHAPEL-BY-THE-WAYSIDE; TAVERN, take your photo behind the original S-curved bar; DANCE HALL-games, get snacks, see exhibits, visit gift shop; GLORIOUS VIEWS of the Spanish Peaks and Southern Rockies! DIRECTIONS: (*You won”t likely find UPTOP on a map as the name is a recent one. Prior to UPTOP the town did not have a name, or referred to as Veta pass) There are 2 turnoffs to UPTOP GHOST TOWN on Colorado Hwy 160: – turn at mile marker 276 — 15 min. east of Ft. Garland – turn at mile marker 281 — 15 min. west of La Veta & Walsenburg Enjoy the vistas as you drive up the original narrow-gauge railroad bed Tour Season: July 10 – September 26 Hours: Sat-Sun 10:00am – 4:00pm Admission: Ages 10 and above– $5.00 (Sept 24 picnic/ceil is free) To schedule a special event Fax: 719-742-3929 Food/Lodging/Camping go to www.lavetacucharachamber.com For more information about the Spanish Peaks International Celtic Festival go to www.CelticMusicFest.com or call 719-742-3003 or 719-746-2061.

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Celtic Warrior: Cody”Donnybrook” Donovan

Cody not only inherited the warrior gene, but also the Irish “gift of the gab”– Not in a boastful way, but with the confidence of someone who is truly grateful for what they have and opportunities ahead. He spoke with high regard and appreciation for his coaches, trainers, and teammates at Grudge. “This gym produces some of the top fighters on the planet,” pointing out a number trainers and champion fighters and giving brief bios he continued, “It”s like a brotherhood, we have each others back. People might think we just come in here and pound on each other, but we try to help each other be better fighters. If you don”t have a fight you help the one who does…it”s a beautiful thing.” MMA is a full contact sport allowing the use of boxing, wrestling, and other fighting techniques to be used during competition. Strategies include striking, take-downs, and submissions. Victory is determined by judges’ decision at the end of the scheduled fight or by stoppage by the referee, fight doctor, the fighter (tap-out or verbal), a cornerman, throwing in the towel, or knockout. MMA initially had received negative press and painted as barbaric but that image is changing through education and regulation according to Cody. “There is nothing new to the idea of the sport– organized hand to hand combat has been around since Pankration was introduced to the ancient Greek Olympics. With sanctioning bodies now involved at all levels it has become much safer.” Introduction of weight classes, rounds limited to 5 minutes, restrictions on the use of knees to a downed opponent, headbutts, eye-gouging, etc as well as properly trained medical professionals and referees are just some of the precautions set in place by the professions overseers. Some analysts have put forth data suggesting that MMA is considerably safer than boxing with less emphasis on continued head strikes and more time spent with wrestling, grappling, and floor fighting. Still, with all of the quality improvements made to the sport stereotypes remain about MMA and those who compete. “People think that we are retarded meatheads, but my teammates are some of the smartest people I know. They”re all highly competitive very motivated- but to be the best you have to be smart and keep mentally in control in the ring. As in most sports, fighting is 90% mental, you have to get past your circle of concern and focus on your circle of control.” One intense fight early in Cody”s young career was a pivotal lesson in mental control and intestinal fortitude demanded by his profession. Physically challenged by broken bones to his face and hand suffered during the match, he struggled with a reason to continue. ”I broke mentally several times during the fight,” recalling his fight with Ian Berg, who is now a teammate and one of his best friends. Cody was able to make it through the fight and was given the win, but gave the respect to Berg. “When it was over we knew that we were in a war ” they gave the fight to me in a decision, but Ian and I call it a draw.” After a fight like that, many would have considered a gentler profession, but for Cody it helped galvanize his resolve to be a MMA champion. ”I knew after that fight that the MMA was my calling.” A casual interest in martial arts lead Cody to Brazilian JiuJitsu while a student 19 year old student at Colorado Arts Institute. After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree he got a job in graphics design and animation. “I hated it ” I just couldn”t sit still!” he laughed recalling his brief career at a desk. Cody studied Brazilian JiuJitsu (BJJ) at Nate Marquardt”s gym, High Altitude Training (HAT) in Aurora Colorado. It was Marquardt who initially got Cody involved in MMA by recruiting him to help another fighter who was getting ready for a competition and needed to train with someone who was big and had BJJ skills. (Marquardt, a champion MMA fighter, is also a teammate of Cody”s at Grudge). At 6″3″ and over 200lbs Cody fit the bill. Cody also teaches BJJ, MMA and Kickboxing at HAT. With his skills and positive disposition he is a natural to work with the young students. “I”ve been fortunate to have so many people help me, so this is a way for me to give back to the MMA community.” Students train for different reasons, but for those who have high level of MMA aspirations it is helpful to have guidance from someone as grounded as Cody. ”There is no Manual on how to become a pro-fighter. It would be a free-for-all if you let fighters enter the ring without strong foundation. You could show them a few tricks but they would fall apart. It”s like building a house– you wouldn”t install the crystal chandelier before you install a good foundation. At ever level of every sport you always practice the basics to build and keep a good foundation.” Cody practices what he preaches. He trains 3 times a day, 6 days a week — alternating sessions of sparring, conditioning, and learning/teaching. Prior to a fight he goes through an 8 week “fight camp” where he trains in varying intervals and intensity. He will have to amend his 8 week fight camp routine as he accepted in mid July an August 7 fight with Ryan Lopez in Oklahoma. 29 years of age, Cody fights at 205 in the Light Heavyweight division. Although he looked ripped to the casual observer, he claimed he was a little overweight ”I love Guinness and I love to eat” he chuckled, “Good thing that I love to train and stay in good shape.” Not a trash talker Cody analyzed his challenger succinctly. “He is a big scary looking guy, but I like my skills against his.” Cody talked about strategy and techniques and then added, “You have to believe that you can beat anyone in the world ” or get another job.” Grudge Training Center 4298 Kipling Street, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 303-432-8858 www.grudgetrainingcenter.com Also find Cody at: www.myspace.com/donnybrookcody www.highaltitudema.com

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Denver Team Fundraising to Build Homes in Cape Town this November

During the second week of this November Karri will take time off from her work at Enterprise Auto Rentals, along with co-worker Trish Tesar, Kathy McGee (Kellogg”s), and Heidi Weidemiller (Computer Associates) and will be the first American team to join Irish-Based NMTT team in South Africa as volunteer builders. “We will walk into the city behind a bagpiper, put on our assigned team colors, and a week later we”ll hand over the keys for a new house to a family that had previously lived in a shanty ” very cool! Kerri added that team USA will be in the company of approximately 700 volunteers from Ireland, many who are professionals in building trades. Team USA is required to raise at least $5,000 apiece. About half goes toward travel and expenses and the other half toward building a house (cost is approximately 5,000 Euro to build one house, with a proper roof, running water, sanitation facilities and electricity). Last month they got off to a good start with a fundrasier at the Irish Hound in Denver as Kerri reported, “Troy Kahle (GM of the Irish Hound) was a great help for our Charity event along with his entire staff. Attendees that bought raffle tickets were treated to some Irish Beer or great wine, a taco buffet, and raffle tickets for some great prizes.” She added that there was a very good turn-out and great support from sponsors like Guinness, Lowes, The Artisan Center, Houston’s Restaurant, Little India restaurant, LaLas Restaurant, Cherry Creek Grill, The Colorado Rockies, Silpada Jewelry, The Tattered Cover, Encore Restaurant, Home Depot, Racine’s, and Dixons restaurant. “We are still in the fundraising stage— we are looking to finalize our fundraising by the middle or last part of august.” Donations can be made towards Team USA by going to www.nmtownshiptrust.com or www.irishtownship.com and click on the American Flag. ”The Niall Mellon Township Trust is a great Charity and we thank everyone for their support,” enthused Karri, “We will be the first volunteer group from the US that will go to South Africa in November and we are very excited about that!!! PM

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Kilts galore and more will be found at Colorado Scottish Festival in August

Colorado Scottish Festival and Rocky Mountain Games August 14 & 15 By Nicole Thomas Now in its 47th year, the Colorado Scottish Festival and Rocky Mountain Highland Games will be hosted Saturday, Aug. 14, and Sunday, Aug. 15, beginning at 9 a.m., at Highlands Heritage Park in Highlands Ranch, Colo. Each year, this community event draws approximately 10,000 people of all ages who come to experience and learn more about authentic Scottish and Celtic heritage, culture, music, dancing, food, history, genealogy and athletics in a family-friendly environment. For the first time, the Colorado Scottish Festival will host the 10th Anniversary Masters World Championships in Scottish athletics. The Championship will feature 114 athletes from seven countries, including one Hall of Fame recipient. Last year”s event was hosted in Inverness, Scotland. Another highlight this year are live concerts Saturday night and Sunday afternoon by Seven Nations, a Celtic rock band that has performed internationally for more than 15 years, including at the Dublin Irish Festival, Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and the New York Marathon. Opening for Seven Nations will be Colorado”s own Angus Mohr, a Celtic rock band that combines Highland bagpipes and Irish whistles with electric guitars, bass, Hammond organ, synthesizers, and rock drums. More than 55 authentic Scottish family clans will be represented at the Festival. The 2010 Honored Clan will be Clan MacInnes, which will host its annual Clan meeting at the Festival. Each participating clan will display its unique coat of arms, tartan, genealogy and other historic items passed down from generation to generation. The Festival is enjoyable for people of any heritage and visitors can attempt to trace their ancestry at the Scots” Heritage Centre that features information on genealogy and Scottish clan history. Other Colorado Scottish Festival attractions include: Pipe, drum and Celtic music performances and competitions, featuring some of the nation”s finest bagpipers Irish Step, Traditional Highland and Scottish Country dancing performances and competitions British dog exhibition and British car show Rugby exhibitions Children”s games and living history exhibitions Scottish-style food and drink, including Haggis tasting The Colorado Scottish Festival (www.ScottishGames.org) founded in 1963, is a production of the St. Andrew Society of Colorado. The event is planned and produced entirely by more than 200 volunteers who care deeply about retelling and preserving the Scottish heritage. The tradition of this Scottish event goes back to days of old when rival clans or kings would meet. Competitions were organized beginning in 1819 at the Perthshire estate of Lord Gwydir in Scotland, to keep men-at-arms and camp followers out of trouble, as well as impress rival clans. Memories of these gatherings were brought to America by Scottish ancestors who started hosting similar events more than 125 years ago. The origins of games in the Rocky Mountain West are traced back to Scottish fur trappers, who continued the age-old games traditions in their encampments. Discounted event tickets can be purchased via www.scottishgames.org until Saturday, Aug. 7. Advanced ticket prices are $15 per day for adults, and $10 per day for children age 7-11, kids under 7 free, seniors over 60, and active military personnel. Each ticket includes admission to all Festival activities on a particular day, including music concerts. After Aug. 7, Festival tickets will be sold only at the Festival main entrance and will cost $17 per day for adults, and $12 per day for children age 7-11, seniors over 60, and active military personnel. Free event parking and free shuttle service is available both days of the Festival.

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Irish Network Colorado Originates in Denver! Vice Consul General Barry O’Brien and McPeake to join in Celebration July 8th

Photo: Vice Consul General Barry O’Brien at right with Ireland’s President Mary McAleese, and her husband Dr. Martin McAleese. Irish Network Colorado (IN-Colorado) is a business network that connects Irish expatriates, Irish-Americans and friends of Ireland. Its mission is to provide a forum for social, business and professional networking for their members and to strengthen economic, social and cultural ties between Irish and American businesses in Colorado and more broadly between the U.S. and Ireland. By harnessing the energy and synergies of its diverse membership, IN-Colorado hopes to achieve similar networking successes as achieved by other Irish Network efforts throughout the U.S Over the last several weeks, inaugural meetings have been held at two local Irish Pubs, Scruffy Murphy”s and the Celtic Tavern. Under the driven leadership of Tom Burke and Ciaran Dwyer (who were hand picked by the Irish Consul General Gerry Staunton), the network has been given significant direction while beginning to establish itself among local Irish and Irish-American business leaders. In fact, the local British Consul General, Kevin Lynch, (who was born in Ireland) has offered his congratulations and support in establishing such a potentially influential organization. San Francisco-based Vice Consul General Barry O’Brien will formally launch the Irish Network Colorado at a special event to take place at 6:30pm on July 8th at the Celtic Tavern Riverside Downs, 2620 W. Belleview Ave., Littleton, Colo. The Network will become part of the Irish Network USA, which was formally launched by An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, on March 14th 2010. The goal of these Networks is to further strengthen the already considerable economic, social and cultural ties between the two countries, as well among Irish-American businesses themselves. Entertainment at the launch party will be provided by Belfast-based McPeake, courtesy of the Colorado Irish Festival. McPeake will bring its unique contemporary take on traditional Irish Music. The event will also serve as a fundraiser for the McPeake School of Music, which has been serving the Belfast community for 33 years, developing multiple All-Ireland champions and professional musicians. To attend this event, please RSVP in advance at Irish Network Colorado . IN-Colorado would like to offer special thanks to its event sponsors: the Celtic Tavern Riverside Downs, The Celtic Connection, Coors, Jameson and the Colorado Irish Festival. The Colorado Irish Festival will be officially opened by Vice Consul Barry O’Brien on Friday evening, July 9th and continues through Sunday, July 11th at Clement Park, Littleton, Colo. Go to www.coloradoirishfestival.org for more details.

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Colorado Irish Fest Turns “Sweet 16” July 9- 11!

Photo: Natalie MacMaster The 2010 Colorado Irish Festival celebrates its “Sweet Sixteen” year with the right mix of sugar and spice. In its 16th year, the Colorado Irish Festival has grown from a humble gathering of Denver”s Irish non-profit groups and friends to the premier destination Irish festival in the Rocky Mountains. In part, this is due to the history of strong entertainment showcasing both established and rising International acts, along with picks from a talented pool of Colorado acts. This year the Fest welcomes one of the sweetest woman in Celtic music is the fiery fiddler virtuoso Natalie MacMaster from Cape Breton. New to the Fest, she is no stranger to Colorado and electrified audiences from Telluride to Red Rocks. Pogey, will debut their own brand of Nova Scotia spice with high octane and fully interactive stage shows that have been creating a buzz. Maureen and Karen Ennis and their band Ennis from Newfoundland will charm Colorado Irish Fest audiences for the first time with broad mix of songs, tunes, and humorous story telling. The girls have one gold album and two more on compilations. McPeake, from the legendary musical family and school from Belfast will continue the 100 year McPeake legacy of excellence with their second consecutive visit to the Fest. Also returning by popular demand are The Elders. Led by County Wicklow native Ian Byrne, they”ll bring their sweat drenched “arsekickin music from the heartland” to their appreciative fans. Last year Seven Nations made a “surprise” visit to the fest and played a set that brought the house down. The multi-dimensional rockers will play all three days this year. Included among the homegrown talent are Colcannon, The Indulgers, Angus Mohr, Potcheen and others. There”s loads more music, sessions, and workshops – along with Irish dance, battling bagpipes, Irish Sports, Celtic artisans, food and drink. The Cultural Village will offer storytelling, music, history, and Irish genealogical for adults and kids. So come on down and celebrate the three day B-day at Clement Park in Littleton by the banks of Johnson Reservoir! 16th Annual Colorado Irish Festival NATALIE MacMASTER ” ENNIS ” POGEY ” THE ELDERS ” McPEAKE SEVEN NATIONS ” COLCANNON ” THE INDULGERS ” ANGUS MOHR POTCHEEN ” GOB”s O”PHUN ” JUICE O” The BARLEY ” MONDRAGON SKEAN DUBH ” CANNED HAGGIS ” ORION”S BOW ” Irish Dance ” Pipe Bands Irish Sports ” Cultural Village ” Storytelling ” Celtic Marketplace ” Kids Area CLEMENT PARK, 7306 W Bowles Ave, Littleton, Colorado Children under 12 Free All Weekend. FREE Parking & Shuttle Friday July 9th 5 PM ” 10 PM ($5 at door) Saturday July 10th 10 AM ” 10 PM ($12 at door) Sunday & 11th, 9 AM ” 10 PM ($12 at door) ( Help Denver Rescue Mission and get in FREE on Sunday – arrive at the gate on or before noon with three items of non perishable goods for FREE entry)

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Cheers for Rugbytown USA! The Re-branding of Glendale Colorado – June Proclaimed Rugby Month in anticipation of Churchill Cup

On May 19, 2010, at Infinity Park, in the heart of “Rugbytown USA”, a proclamation was read decreeing June as Rugby Month in Colorado. Acting on behalf of Governor Bill Ritter, Lt. Governor Barbara O”Brien read the proclamation to Glendale Mayor Pro-Tem Mike Dunafon, USA Rugby Men”s National Team Head Coach, Eddie O”Sullivan and a room full of Rugby enthusiasts at the Guinness Try Club. “It is great to have Infinity Park here in Glendale and Colorado, we have a wonderful month of rugby coming up” Said the self-proclaimed “Rugby Mom”. “Rugby is a sport that”s gaining a lot of traction here in Colorado, Infinity Park is the nation”s only municipally-owned rugby stadium and it”s attracting a lot of positive attention”. Attention will continue in June as Infinity Park will again showcase to the rugby world The Churchill Cup, on the 5th, 9th, and 13th. This year the high profile XV-a-side rugby tournament feature teams from U.S., Canada, Russia, England Saxons, France, and Uruguay. It will be the second consecutive year that Infinity Park presents the prestigious games. Other action at Infinity Park in June includes some of the top men”s rugby players in the country competing for the USA Rugby Men”s Club Championships on June 5-6, and the Men”s Collegiate All-Star Championships on June 10 and 12. And of course there will be action from the home team, Glendale Raptors, as well. After Lt. Governor O”Brien spoke, Coach O”Sullivan took to the microphone and underscored what a remarkable achievement Infinity Park has attained in hosting the Churchill Cup for the second straight year and suggested that the crown jewel of rugby venues become the permanent home of the premier event. Mayor Pro-Tem Mike Dunafon also took a turn at the podium and thanked the rugby supporters, visionaries, and those behind the construction of Infinity Park, and extolled the community building that surrounds the sport of rugby that has turned Glendale, Colorado into “RugbyTown USA”. “Rugbytown USA” is now the official title and logo of Glendale. On May 14, “Rugby World” world host Dave Sitton introduced the term to the TV audience watching the first of 8 half-hour programs on the FOX Sports Net. “All of the shows were produced in Glendale” Dunafon said, “Which will be great marketing for Glendale and the heart of Denver.” Ask anyone in the know, and they will credit Dunafon as the driving force behind Affinity Park and “RugbyTwon USA”. “Well, their too kind” Dunafon said, “I”ll tell you that because nobody makes anything happen on their own.” It took an event that happened over a decade ago in Glendale that led Dunafon and friends to Affinity Park and the re-branding of Glendale ”Debbie”s (Mathews) business was attacked by another new Carrie Nation movement” Dunafon said, referring to a temperance movement figure in pre-Prohibition America who promoted her viewpoint by vandalizing bars with a hatchet. “They decided they didn”t want Glendale being the home of Shotgun Willie”s, since everyone knew were Shotgun”s was but not Glendale. So I said to the Mayor at the time, “Well change that, brand the city some way positive”. Dunafon said that the idea of a local government trying to dictate how peoples live really got his Irish up. “We had a voter”s drive that tripled the voter role in two weeks and 31 days later they were out of office and we rescinded the ordinance, downsized the government payroll and clean up outdated ordinance with the goal of using commons sense and not controlling people”s lives… It”s a real Libertarian success story- the idea to let the people make their own decisions.” Rugby was relatively unknown to Dunafon growing up in Golden, Colorado. He attended University of Northern Colorado where he lettered in football for four years and was part of the All-Conference team. He signed contracts to play with the Denver Broncos in 1976 and 1977. After the injury riddled two years that put him in the unemployment line he grew a beard and pony tail and traded his house for a sail boat and ended up in British Virgin Islands where he worked as a musician and scuba instructor. It was there that he was introduced to rugby. Dunafon recalled the day, “I was standing on side of a boat and a guy walked up to me on the dock and said “mate you look fit do you play sports… would you fancy a game of footie?” After a bit of cross-cultural interpretation and explanation, Dunafon came to realize the local man was talking about rugby. Dunafon was further baffled when he was instructed to put on a blazer and report to the HMS Cardiff warship to have a pre-game banquet with their opposing team, the British Marines. “You”re going to have a beer and sing a song with your opponent”? he asked his new teammate. The concept of breaking bread instead of breaking heads with your opponent was unfamiliar to Dunafon who was entrenched in the American football mindset. But he did go to the ship. “The Governor of Island was there, the captain of the ship ” it was incredible!” The next day they played rugby. “I was addicted to the sport the minute I played it,” adding with a chuckle, “But they just kicked my butt all over the place.” The camaraderie and greater community aspect of rugby sat well with Dunafon. He found the idea of helping your opponent and sense of fairplay for the greater good of the sport intriguing. It brought back memories of his dad and uncle whom he called, “The original Marlboro Men.” “They were world class cowboys – bull dogging, bronco riders… it was a world where you would help the guy you”re competing with on his horse- haze for him- and you were competing with on another. In contrast, when I played football I learned to hate your opponent.” Eventually Island life wore on Dunafon and it was time to return to the States. ”I game back to the states in 93, I was developing a case of A.I.M.S. disease – Acquired Island Mentality Syndrome ” where you find yourself on the same bar stool 10 years later.” Back home, Dunafon continued to play rugby and earned a USA Rugby Level 3 Coaching Certification and coached high school age teams. ”I”ve never seen a sport that is better for kids ” it allows for travel, doesn”t cost much to play, you create a real fellowship with your teammates and opponents.” Dunafon added. “Another thing about a mentoring sport ” I call it multi-level mentoring – you”re not always there when a kid needs help, so if you have a community, a rugby village, the old boys and gals who are a part of the club are there, and the know the culture ” it”s like a giant family.” In recent years Dunafon was talked into playing in an “old-timers” tournament, but has now hung up his playing cleats. But there is still plenty to do off the field. “There is always politics and sometimes you feel like Sisyphus pushing a rock up hill, put then you feel the positive – the team is incredible and the energy is just building.” The amazing vision and hard work of Dunafon and his team has become a reality and it continues to unfold. Not only do they have the Affinity Field with accompanying Sports Center, Events Center, and High Altitude Training Center that continue to impressed visitors from around the world, but they have just opened a new practice field and Park and have scheduled to open the World Rugby Hall of Fame in the next few years. Dunafon pointed out “Think about, Canton (football), Cooperstown (baseball), Springfield (basketball), they are all little towns that branded themselves after a sport.” Hey, nothings impossible in RugbyTown USA. www.infinityparkatglendale.com PM The Celtic Connection June 2010

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Colorado Irish Business Network Inaugural Meeting May 20th

The Irish government, proud of its progress in establishing Irish economic and business connections in America, decided at its economic conference at Farmleigh in Dublin in 2009 to make economic and other ties with America even stronger. To that end, and as part of a strategic review of the relationship between the US and Ireland, the Irish Embassy in Washington DC and Irish Consulates throughout the US are promoting and assisting in the establishment of Irish Business Networks-USA. The goal of these Networks will be to further strengthen the already considerable economic, social and cultural ties between the two countries, as well among Irish-American businesses themselves. The Irish Prime Minister, An Taoiseach Brian Cowen, formally launched Irish Network USA on March 14th in San Francisco, as a direct outcome of the Farmleigh conference”s recommendations. The Irish government intends to make Farmleigh, and future such conferences, Ireland”s version of the highly successful Davos, Switzerland model that annually maps out critical economic pathways for Western Europe and other parts of the world economy. The intention is to make Irish Network USA its umbrella organization for regional Irish business networking groups already in existence in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego and Washington, D.C. Cowen also wants to expand Ireland”s footprint in the USA by reaching out to other major metropolitan areas, like Seattle, Denver, Boulder and other cities with large numbers of Irish-Americans, Irish expatriates, and friends of Ireland. San Francisco-based Irish Consul General, Gerry Staunton commented after the March 14 announcement that “this platform for cooperation within the large Irish-friendly American business community is an idea whose time has surely come. Not only will Irish Network- USA serve as a bridge between Ireland”s business community and American business, but it will also bring Irish America and its considerable economic clout in closer contact within itself” The Consul General went to say that “the establishment of a Nationwide Database, as proposed by Irish Network-USA, will be hugely beneficial to the individual members of the Networks in their own business activities” Staunton, during a recent visit to Denver, asked Irish-born Denver executive Ciar”n Dwyer and longtime Denver attorney Tom Burke, to look into the possibility of establishing an Irish Business Network in Colorado. An inaugural meeting of the Irish Network- Colorado will be held Thursday, May 20,, 2010 at 6.30pm in the Robert Burns room at the Celtic Tavern (1801 Blake St. 303-308-1795). This meeting seeks to kick off the same Colorado-based economic, cultural and social ties Taoiseach Cowen wants to establish with Irish Network USA. Dwyer, when asked how the kickoff meeting will be organized, said “it will be Irish, free form and friendly, but with serious purpose and intent. Everyone needs to bring his or her business cards along so we can get our Irish Network Colorado off the blocks as soon as possible.”

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